Disposable body fluid filter unit, disposable body fluid sucking device, and body fluid sucking source

ABSTRACT

A disposable body fluid filter unit  10  of the present invention comprises a suction inlet  14  connected to a suction tube  20  for suctioning body fluids  100;  a collection chamber  18  for storing the body fluids  100  sucked in together with air after being separated from air; a filter  12  for allowing introduced air to pass through; and a collection inlet  16  communicating with a suction source  24,  wherein the suction inlet  14  is positioned at one end of the substantially cylindrical-shape collection chamber  18,  the filter  12  is positioned at the other end that is opposite to the one end, and a collection piper  23  is provided for guiding air from the chamber  18  to the collection inlet  14  through the filter  12.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a disposable suction device used forremoving phlegm and nasal mucus caught in person's throat and nose.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Since patients whose strength is declined and elderly people may beunable to spit out phlegm caught in their throats by themselves, theyhave their phlegm removed by medical treatment facilities and helpers.Similarly, when infants have a plugged nose, their parents remove nasalmucus by their mouths. Although suction sources such as vacuum pumpswere used for removing body fluids in medical treatment facilities,there were problems, such as difficult movement due to their large-sizesuction devices or troublesome work in cleaning and disinfecting suctionpipes and spit boxes after use. In addition, there was always a risk ofbeing infected when. reusing the suction devices, even if the deviceshad been cleaned and disinfected.

On the other hand, a method for sucking out phlegm by a user's mouthusing suction tubes has been taken in ordinary households without suchsuction devices. Accordingly, serious hygienic and mental problems thatthe family members might become infected with the disease of thepatients by the phlegm and the like having drawn into their mouths havebeen raised.

The inventors of the present invention have been succeeded in developinga disposable body fluid filter unit and a body fluid suction device freefrom cleaning and disinfection after repeated studies, which are capableof being easily used at anywhere because of convenient portable type,and perfect for collecting body fluids such as phlegm and nasal mucus.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A disposable body fluid filter unit according to the present inventionfor removing body fluids such as phlegm and nasal mucus is so configuredthat air flows through a suction inlet connected to a suction tube forsuctioning the body fluids, a collection chamber, a filter, and acollection inlet communicating with a suction source in the order namedto suction the body fluids.

In the filter unit, a suction pipe for guiding air from the suctioninlet to the collection chamber passes through the filter.

The filter is positioned between the suction inlet and the collectioninlet.

In the filter unit, a shielding member having a body fluid shieldingportion in the shape being in conformance with the shape of inner wallsof the collection chamber disposed around the shielding member and aventilation section formed near the central portion is provided betweenthe collection chamber and the filter.

The disposable body fluid filter unit according to the present inventionfor removing body fluids such as phlegm and nasal mucus caught inperson's throat and nose comprises a suction inlet connected to asuction tube for suctioning the body fluids; a collection chamber forstoring the body fluids suctioned from the suction inlet; a filter forallowing air or body fluids within the collection chamber to passthrough; and a collection inlet communicating with a suction source,wherein the suction inlet is positioned at one end of the collectionchamber, the collection inlet is positioned at the other end that isopposite to the one end, and the filter is positioned between thecollection chamber and the collection inlet.

The filter unit further comprises a collection pipe for guiding air fromthe collection chamber to the collection inlet through the filter whichjuts into the collection chamber.

The collection pipe juts out of the filter into the central portion ofthe collection chamber and an end of a jutting portion of the collectionpipe is positioned near the central portion of the collection chamber.

The filter unit further comprises a suction pipe for guiding body fluidsfrom the suction inlet to the collection chamber.

The suction pipe juts into the collection chamber.

A jutting portion of the suction pipe has a non-return valve on its end.

In the filter unit, a collection chamber is at least small enough toconceal in a palm of a person's hand.

A disposable body fluid suction device according to the presentinvention comprises the above-mentioned filter unit, wherein a suctiontube is connected at least to the suction inlet.

In the suction device, a nozzle having an air inhalation system isconnected to the end of the suction tube.

The collection inlet is of a shape that allows a user to hold the inletin his or her mouth.

A suction source according to the present invention for introducing airfrom a collection inlet of a body fluid filter unit for removing bodyfluids such as phlegm and nasal mucus caught in person's throat and nosecomprises a pump for sucking air; and an outer box for having the pumptherein, wherein the outer box can be suspended by engaging a curvedhook extending to an end with a bar-like member.

The suction source according to the present invention for introducingair from the collection inlet of the filter unit for removing bodyfluids such as phlegm and nasal mucus caught in person's throat and nosecomprises a pump for sucking air; and an outer box having the pumptherein, wherein the outer box has a curved mounting section extendingto an end, where a substantially cylindrical shaped body fluid filterunit is accommodated on its side.

The suction source according to the present invention for introducingair from the collection inlet of the filter unit for removing bodyfluids such as phlegm and nasal mucus caught in person's throat and nosecomprises a pump for sucking air; an outer box having the pump therein;and a tank for dividing collected body fluids into body fluids and air.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing an example of a filterunit according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the filter unit shown in FIG. 1 anda suction source according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a pipe arrangement view showing the filter unit shown in FIG.1 and a suction source according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the suction source shown in FIG. 2in another using condition.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the suction source shown in FIG. 2in still another using condition.

FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view of a sterilizing filter of thefilter unit shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the filter unit shown in FIG. 1 ina further using condition.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the filter unit shown in FIG. 1 ina still further using condition.

FIG. 9 is a front cross-sectional view showing another example of afilter unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view showing another example of asuction source according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a pipe arrangement view for explaining the using condition ofthe suction source shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a front cross-sectional view showing still another example ofa filter unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a front cross-sectional view showing a further example of afilter unit according to the present invention

FIG. 14 is a front cross-sectional view showing a still further exampleof a filter unit according to the present invention

FIG. 15 is a front cross-sectional view showing another example of afilter unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a front cross-sectional view exemplifying a filter accordingto the present invention. FIG. 16(a) is a two-layer structure and FIG.16(b) is an example of a shape with circular base and jutting sidewalls.

FIG. 17 is a front cross-sectional view showing an example of ashielding member according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a front cross-sectional view showing another example of ashielding member according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a front cross-sectional view showing still another example ofa shielding member according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a front cross-sectional view showing still another example ofa filter unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a body fluidsuction device according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is an example of a nozzle according to the present invention.FIG. 22(a) is a front view, FIG. 22(b) is a bottom plan view. FIG. 22(c)is an A═A cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 22(b).

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing the using condition of thefilter unit shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view showing the using condition of thefilter unit shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing the using condition of thefilter unit shown in FIG. 21.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of the disposable body fluid filter unit and thebody fluid suction device according to the present invention will now bedescribed in detail on the basis of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a particularly preferred embodiment of afilter unit according to the present invention. A filter unit 10 shownin FIG. 1 comprises a suction inlet 14 connected to a suction tube 20for collecting body fluids 100; a sealed collection chamber 18 forstoring the body fluids 100 after separating the body fluids 100collected along with air from the air; and a filter 12 for allowingintroduced air to pass through; and a collection inlet 16 communicatingwith a suction source 24.

More particularly, in the filter unit 10, the suction inlet 14 ispositioned at one end of the substantially cylindrical-shape collectionchamber 18, the collection inlet 16 is positioned at the other end thatis opposite to the one end, and the filter 12 is positioned between thechamber 18 and the collection inlet 16. In the body fluid filter unitaccording to the present invention, a collection pipe 23 is provided toguide air from the chamber 18 to the collection inlet 14 through thefilter 12 and juts out of the filter 12 into the central portion of thechamber 18, wherein an end 90 of a jutting portion of the pipe 23 ispositioned near the central portion of the chamber 18. The pipe 23 isconstructed in a double tube state to make it difficult for the bodyfluids 100 to draw into the pipe 23 or to reduce kinetic energy of bodyfluids by absorption. Further, a suction pipe 22 juts into the chamber18 so that the pipe 22 may guide the fluids 100 from the suction inlet14 to the chamber 18. Furthermore, a jutting portion of the pipe 22 hasa non-return valve 94 on its end 92.

The filter 12 is positioned between the collection pipe 23 and thecollection inlet 16, and is so constructed that air to be fed from thecollection chamber 18 to the filter 12 through the collection pipe 23may be fed to the inlet 16 after being cleaned by the filter 12. Inaddition, when the body fluids 100 are included in air to be fed fromthe collection chamber 18 to the filter 12 through the pipe 23, thefilter 12 collects the fluids 100, so that only clean air is fed to theinlet 16. If the fluids 100 are included in air to be fed to the filter12, the filter 12 comprises a sponge 96 for absorbing the fluids and asterilizing filter 97 for separating microorganisms by collectingmicroorganisms to prevent them from passing through the filter 97. Asshown in FIG. 6, the filter 97 comprises a lamination sandwiching asponge 99 between two HEPA filters (High Efficiency Particulate AirFilters) 98. The HEPA filters 98 are capable of collecting 0.3μm-particles with the efficiency of 99.97% or higher. Since 2 pieces ofthe HEPA filters 98 are used, the filter 97 is capable of collecting 0.3μm-particles with the efficiency of 100−(100−99.97)×(100−99.97)=99.9991%or higher.

The collection chamber 18 is small enough to conceal in a palm of ahuman hand. And then the collection chamber 18 is so configured that theinside of the chamber 18 may be invisible from the outside by grippingit and the body fluids 100 to pass through the chamber 18 are invisiblefrom the outside. More specifically, the length of the substantiallycylindrical-shape filter unit 10 is within the range of 100 mm to 110mm. The diameter of a cross-sectional circle of the substantiallycylindrical-shape collection chamber 18 is within the range of 35 mm to45 mm. The reason for hiding the collection chamber by hand is to avoidany unpleasant feelings or a feeling of repulsion that the patient, thecaregiver, and the patient's family or visitors may have. Further, thatis because of holding the patient's zest for life, self-help, andfighting spirit against the disease. The chamber 18 can be quickly andeasily thrown away by downsizing.

A suction source 24 comprises, as shown in FIG. 3, a pump 60 for suckingair and an outer box 62 having the pump 60 therein, and is so configuredthat air may be introduced from a collection tube 21 by the operation ofthe pump 60. The box 62 is composed of one component including a hook 66extending to an end 64. As shown in FIG. 5, the box 62 is configured soas to fix the suction source 24 to a bed 68 by fitting the hook 66 intoa fence (bar-like member) 70 of the bed 68, which enables the hanging ofthe suction source 24. Further, the box 62 is composed of one componentincluding a curved mounting section 74 extending to an end 72 and isconfigured so as to accommodate the substantially cylindrical-shapefilter unit 10 on its side in the mounting section 74. The box 62 has,furthermore, a planate bottom 76, and as shown in FIG. 2, is soconfigured that the bottom 76 may closely come in contact with and befixed to a desk 78. In addition, the outer box 60 has a planate rear 80,and as shown in FIG. 4, is so configured that the rear 80 may closelycome in contact with and be fixed to the desk 78. This suction source 24may be used in the oblique direction, or the like.

When such body fluid filter unit 10 and suction source 24 are used, abody fluid suction device 34 is assembled by pressing a suction tube 20into the suction inlet 14 of the filter unit 10, as well as pressing thecollection tube 21 connected to the suction source 24 into thecollection inlet 16. Catheters made of sterilized PVC (polyvinylchloride) available in the market are generally used as the suction tube20 and the collection tube 21.

Subsequently, body fluids 100 such as phlegm and nasal mucus are suckedinto the suction tube 20 by putting an end of the tube 20 into theuser's nose or mouth to the throat or the trachea to operate the pump 60of the suction source 24. The fluids 100 suctioned in the tube 20 areguided from the tube 20 to the suction inlet 14 and is stored in thecollection chamber 18 after passing through a non-return valve 94. Asshown in FIG. 3, the collection chamber 18 acts as a tank for dividinginto three: the body fluids 100; mixed body fluids 100 formed by mixingthe body fluids with air; and air or a drain. The non-return valve 94prevents the fluids 100 from returning.

On the other hand, air introduced into the collection chamber 18 isguided from the collection pipe 23 to the pump 60 through the filter 12and the collection tube 21 and is discharged from the pump 60. Airintroduced into the collection chamber 18 is guided to the collectiontube 21 while removing bacteria included in the air with the HEPAfilters 98 of the filter 12. Even if the body fluids 100 draw into thecollection pipe 23, there is no possibility of the body fluids 100 drawinto the collection tube 21 because of being absorbed in the sponge 96.Accordingly, even if the collection tube 21 has been used for a pluralnumber of patients without throwing away the tube 21, the patients wouldnot have unpleasant feelings because of no remainder of the otherpatients' body fluids in the tube 21.

The collection pipe 23 juts out of the filter 12 into the centralportion of the collection chamber 18 with the end 90 of the juttingportion positioned near the central portion of the collection chamber18. For this reason, there is a low possibility of the body fluids 100drawing into the collection pipe 23 due to the storage of the fluids 100at the bottom of the sideway positioned collection chamber 18, as far asthe amount of the fluids 100 is not too large, when the body fluidfilter unit 10 is used in a sideway position as shown in FIG. 1.Moreover, the suction pipe 22 juts into the chamber 18 and thenon-return valve 94 is disposed at the end 92 of the jutting portion ofthe pipe 22, so that there is no possibility of the fluids 100 drawinginto the pipe 22 due to no contact with the non-return valve 94. In bothcases when the filter unit 10 is used, as shown in FIG. 7, with thesuction inlet 14 turning upward in a upright position and when thefilter unit 10 is used, as shown in FIG. 8, with the suction inlet 14turning downward in an oblique position, few admission of the fluids 100into the pipe 23 occurs due to the same theory, so that there is nopossibility of the fluids 100 drawing into the pipe 22.

Thus, once the body fluid filter unit 10 has been used and the bodyfluids 100 have been stored in the collection chamber 18 at apredetermined amount, the filter unit 10 and the suction tube 20, andthe like are thrown away.

With the use of this body fluid filter unit 10, it is rare that the bodyfluids 100 draw into the collection pipe 23 and the amount of the bodyfluids 100 which exceptionally draw into the pipe 23 is very little, sothat all of the fluids 100 drawing into the pipe 23 can be absorbed inthe sponge 96. This avoids the fluids 100 from being sucked up to thesuction source 24, passing through the collection tube 21 to prevent thebreakdown of the suction source 24 caused by the admission of the fluids100 into the pump 60. In addition, it becomes possible for a caregiverto suction body fluids by holding the tube 21 in his or her mouthwithout the suction source 24 due to no admission of the fluids 100 intothe tube 21. Furthermore, this filter unit 10 enables the caregiver toprevent the infection due to effective sterilization using the filter 12equipped with two HEPA filters 98, even if the caregiver suctions bodyfluids by holding the tube 21 in his or her mouth.

As shown in FIG. 1, the body fluid filter unit 10 is capable ofsuctioning body fluids in the state of fixing to the hook 74 of thesuction source 24 in a sideway position, so that the filter unit 10 iscapable of suctioning body fluids in a stable state. It is, therefore,possible to avoid the body fluids 100 from being sucked up to thesuction source 24 after passing through the collection tube 21 bypreventing the body fluids 100 from drawing into the collection pipe 23.

One embodiment of the body fluid filter unit and the body fluid suctiondevice of the present invention has been described with reference toaccompanying drawings, however, the present invention is not limited tothis embodiment.

For example, a ULPA (Ultra Low Penetration Air) filter may be used as analternative to the HEPA filters 98 for sterilizing filter 97 equippedwith the body fluid filter unit 10 shown in FIG. 1. When compared to theHEPA filters, the ULPA filters are brittler and easy to cause waste inaddition to their high price. The ULPA filters can, however, collect 0.1μm-particles at the efficiency of 99.999% or higher.

For the body fluid filter unit 10 shown in FIG. 1, the filter 12 may becomposed of the sponge 96 only excluding the sterilizing filter 97.Furthermore, a sponge may be used as an alternative to the sterilizingfilter 97. In addition, a high polymer absorbent material may be used asa component for the filter 12.

If the filter 12 is composed of a sponge only, the filter 12 can be usedfor suctioning oral body fluids at the time of brushing teeth whenexcessive consideration of sterilization of body fluids is notnecessary. If a high polymer absorbent material or a sponge is used, itis possible to recognize the time when the filter 12 should be thrownaway by visually checking the swelling of the high polymer absorbentmaterial or the sponge caused by the absorption of body fluids into thehigh polymer absorbent material or the sponge. Further, the time whenthe filter 12 should be thrown away can be recognized by recognizing airpermeability of the material or the sponge has been lowered due toabsorption of body fluids into the material or the sponge. The filter 12may be composed of the filter 97 only excluding the sponge 96. Thefilter 97 may be composed of the HEPA filters only. Furthermore, thenumber of the HEPA filters of the filter 97 in the filter 12 is notlimited to 2 as shown in FIG. 6, but at least one or two or more HEPAfilters may be used.

The length of the substantially cylindrical-shape body fluid filter unit10 shown in FIG. 1 may be within the range of 110 mm to 120 mm and 120mm to 130 mm. Or the length of the filter unit 10 may be within therange of 90 mm to 100 mm, 80 mm to 90 mm, 70 mm to 80 mm, 60 mm to 70mm, and 50 mm to 60 mm. The diameter of the cross-sectional circle ofthe substantially cylindrical-shape collection chamber 18 may be withinthe range of 45 mm to 55 mm and 55 mm to 65 mm. Further, the diameter ofthe cross-sectional circle may be within the range of 25 mm to 35 mm and15 mm to 25 mm.

For the body fluid filter unit 10 shown in FIG. 1, a suction source foroperating the filter unit 10 is not limited to the suction source 24shown in FIG. 5. More particularly, the shape of the suction source'souter box is not particularly limited, if the suction source canintroduce air from the filter unit 10.

The body fluid filter unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 may be so configured thatthe inside of the filter unit may be invisible from outside by attachinglabels on the filter unit 10, the suction filter 20 or the collectionfilter 21 and the like.

In addition, the shape of the body fluid filter unit 10 shown in FIG. 1is not limited to a pillar, but the filter unit may be a prism, anelliptic cylinder, a cone or a prism and the like.

The body fluid filter unit used in the present invention may be thefilter unit 10 shown in FIG. 9. In the filter unit 10, the length of thejutting in the suction pipe 22 from the suction inlet 14 into thecollection chamber 18 is longer than that of the filter unit 10 shown inFIG. 1. And a partition board 102 is located between the pipe 22 and thecollection pipe 23. The filter unit 10 shown in FIG. 9 has, therefore, amore complicated configuration than the filter unit 10 shown in FIG. 1,which results in higher manufacturing costs than the filter unit 10shown in FIG. 1. When this filter unit 10 is used in the position shownin FIG. 8, the body fluids 100 have more difficulties in contacting thenon-return valve 94 because the length that the pipe 22 juts out of theinlet 14 into the chamber 18 is longer than the filter unit 10 shown inFIG. 1. Since the partition board 102 is located between the pipe 22 andthe pipe 23, it is possible to prevent the fluids 100 emitted from thepipe 22 from being collected into the pipe 23, even if the length of thepipe 22 in this filter unit 10 that juts out of the inlet 14 into thechamber 18 is longer than the filter unit 10 shown in FIG. 1.

The suction source 24 of the present invention may be either of thesuction sources shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. This suction source 24includes a filter 112 and the pump 60 within a sealed chamber 110. Evenif the body fluids 100.are drawn from the collection pipe 21 into thechamber 110, only air can be fed to the pump 60 via the filter 112 bystoring the body fluids 100 in the chamber 110. When fluids consisted ofthe fluids 100 and air are suctioned, the chamber 110 acts as a tankhaving a function of separating the fluids 100 from air. In the case ofthis suction source 24, although the complicated configuration of thesuction source 24 makes the manufacturing costs high, it is possible toprevent the pump 60 from being broken down caused by admission of thefluids 100 into the pump 60.

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the filter unit according to thepresent invention. The filter unit 10 shown in FIG. 12 comprises asuction inlet 14 connected to a suction tube 20 for suctioning bodyfluids; a collection chamber 18 for storing the body fluids sucked intogether with air after separating the fluids from air; a filter 12 forallowing introduced air to pass through; and a collection inlet 16communicating with a suction source 24. In addition, a suction pipe 22for guiding air from the suction inlet 14 to the collection chamber 18and a collection pipe 23 for guiding air from the chamber 18 to thecollection inlet 16 are provided inside the filter unit 10, and thesuction pipe 22 and the collection pipe 23 respectively pass the filter12.

More particularly, the filter unit 10 is formed in a substantiallycylindrical shape with both ends closed, wherein a female housing 13 anda male housing 15 are connected by a fit 17. And the filter 12 and ashielding member 26 are accommodated within a substantiallycylindrical-shape case formed by the female housing 13 and the malehousing 15.

One side of the filter 12 is supported by a step 25 disposed onsidewalls of the female housing 13 and a filter support 33 disposed atthe bottom of the housing 13. The opposite side of the filter 12 is incontact with a leg 32 of the shielding member 26. The leg 32 and thefilter support 33 contacting the filter 12 are formed so as to supportwith the respective end of the jutting portion to avoid blocking theventilation of the filter 12.

The suction inlet 14 connected to the suction tube 20 for suctioningphlegm, or the like and the suction pipe 22 for leading from the suctioninlet 14 into the collection chamber 18 are integrally provided as onecomponent in the female housing 13, wherein the suction pipe 22 passesthrough the filter 12. Thus, the filter 12 is-positioned between thecollection chamber 18 which is disposed on the opposite side of theinlet 14 and the inlet 14. The collection inlet 16 communicating withthe suction source 24 and the collection pipe 23 led from the chamber 18to the collection inlet 16 are disposed as one component, wherein thecollection pipe 23 passes through the filter 12.

The shielding member 26 includes a shielding portion 28 whose crosssection is an L-shaped circular cylinder having a shape conforming tothe inner walls of the female housing 13 and the leg 32. The openedcentral portion of the circular cylindrical-shaped shielding portion 28forms a ventilation section 30.

The filter unit 10 of the present invention is assembled as mentionedbelow. The filter 12 is pushed into the female housing 13 as far as itwill go to the step 25 and the filter support 33. First, small-diameterholes are previously provided in the filter 12 to pass through thecollection pipe 23 and the suction pipe 22, so that the above-mentionedwork is done while passing the suction pipe 22 through these holes.Secondly, the shielding member 26 is inserted into the housing 13 toallow the leg 32 to come in contact with the filter 12. The ring shapedshielding portion 28 is fixed to a given position by fitting theshielding portion 28 into the inner walls of the housing 13.

Subsequently, the male housing 15 is allowed to come in contact with thefit 17 to connect to the female housing 13, the end portion of thecollection pipe 23 is simultaneously inserted into the holes previouslyprovided in the filter 12. The thus-assembled filter unit 10 is dividedinto 2 parts by the filter 12 and has a configuration so that thecollection pipe 23 and the suction pipe 22 may closely penetrate thefilter 12.

The filter unit 10 in this embodiment has a more complicatedconfiguration than the body fluid filter unit 10 shown in FIG. 1, whichneeds more manufacturing costs than the filter unit 10 shown in FIG. 1.The filter unit in this embodiment has, however, the following effects:

The flow of air introduced by the suction source 24 passes, as thearrow's direction shows, from the suction inlet 14 to the collectionchamber 18 through the suction pipe 22 and then passes through thefilter 12 and the collection pipe 23 to reach the collection inlet 16. Auser who is removing body fluids holds the filter unit 10 in one handand operates the suction tube 20 by the other hand to put its end at thepatient's throat where phlegm is caught. Phlegm is drawn out into thefilter unit 10 by suctioning phlegm along the flow of air.

Although body fluids such as phlegm suctioned from the end of thesuction tube 20 are drained in the collection chamber 18 after passingthrough the suction inlet 14 and the suction pipe 22, it is possible toavoid the body fluids overflowing from the suction pipe 22 from directlysplashing on the filter 12 because the end of the pipe 22 faces the malehousing 15, which is on the opposite side to the filter 12. This reducesthe clogging of the filter 12 caused by body fluids. In addition, bodyfluids flowing along the inner walls of the female housing 13 areshielded by the shielding portion 28 due to the shielding member 26disposed in the filter unit 10, which leads to further reduction inclogging of the filter 12. The shielding portion 28 is ring shaped whichis cross-sectional L-shaped and forms ring-shape grooves with the shapeof cross-sectional U, closely coming in contact with the inner walls ofthe female housing 13. There is no possibility of the body fluids storedin the collection chamber 18, therefore, flowing out to the filter 12side, even if the filter unit 10 is tilted in either direction.

The filter 12 collects body fluids that have flown to the filter 12 andpart of the fluids included in air within the collection chamber 18.Consequently, only purified air flows to the suction source 24 afterpassing through the collection pipe 23 and the collection inlet 16.Since the ends of the filter 12 tightly come in contact with the innerwalls of the female housing 13 and the collection chamber 18 is sealed,any rough handling does not cause a leakage of the body fluids out tothe collection inlet 16.

This enables the filter unit 10 of the present invention to be easilyused as a disposable unit. There is a low possibility of the entiresurface of the filter 12 being clogged because the ventilation section30 is provided in the central portion of the shielding member 26 and theboth sides of the filter 12 are sufficiently opened widely. Further, thesuction source 24, which is relatively weak to the extent that it isused for suctioning body fluids by the user's mouth, can be used due tosmall pressure loss when passing through the filter 12.

In the filter unit 10 of this embodiment, the filter 12 is positionedbetween the suction inlet 14 and the collection inlet 16. For example,the filter unit 10 is very convenient when used as a first-aid suctiondevice for suctioning body fluids by the user's mouth for home use. Moreparticularly, a user can operate the suction tube 20 connected to theinlet 14 located on the lower part while holding the collection inlet 16in his or her mouth and peeping into the patient's throat from above,which leads to especially excellent operability. Since the suction tube20 can be shortened because of very close clearance between the inlet 14and the throat, or the like, operate time can be reduced by quicklysucking phlegm up to the filter unit 10. Thus, it is possible to takesome of the load off the patient whose phlegm is caught, as well as theuser's load.

The suction inlet 14 and the collection inlet 16 are provided on thesame side in the filter unit 10 of another embodiment shown in FIG. 13.In this embodiment, the passing of the suction pipe 22 through thefilter 12 prevents body fluids flowing out to the collection chamber 18from directly contacting the filter 12. The body fluids flowing to thefilter 12 by passing along the inner walls of the female housing 13 areblocked due to the shielding member 26 provided in the filter unit 10.This filter unit 10 shown in FIG. 13 is different from the filter unit10 shown in FIG. 12 in simply directing air that has passed through thefilter 12 to the collection inlet 16 provided in the same direction asthe suction inlet 14.

The filter unit 10 in this embodiment is particularly suitable whenusing the suction source 24 such as a vacuum pump. When the suctionsource 24 such as a vacuum pump is used, switching operation is requiredfor operating or canceling the suction source 24. In addition, suctionwork should be temporarily canceled-due to inability of the operation ofthe suction source 24 because the filter unit 10 is held in one hand andthe suction tube 20 is handled by another hand. As shown in FIG. 13,however, if a switch 38 of the suction source 24 is mounted on thesidewalls of the filter unit 10 to operate the switch 38, gripping thefilter unit 10, cancellation of suction work is not necessary becauseanother hand is available at any time.

The filter unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 14 is so simply configured thatthe suction inlet 14, the collection chamber 18, the filter 12, and thecollection inlet 16 may be disposed in series. This filter unit 10 isparticularly for home use and is small sized, lightweight, andinexpensive, which is used for a suction device for suctioning bodyfluids by the user's mouth. More particularly, the shielding member 26is omitted, assuming that filter unit 10 is used in the state that thesuction inlet 14 faces downward by making the filter unit 10 slenderbecause of serial disposition of the suction inlet 14, the collectionchamber 18, the filter 12, and the collection inlet 16. This enables asmall sized and lightweight filter unit, which results in a drasticreduction in costs. As the filter unit 10 becomes slenderer, the unit 10is clogged more easily due to a reduction in effective area. Body fluidsin the chamber 18 are, however, stored at a bottom section 40.of themale housing 15 within the chamber 18, so that there is no possibilityof the body fluids drawing into the filter 12 side, unless the filterunit 10 is reversed. Moreover, the filter 12 is thickened to improveprotection against clogging.

In the filter unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 15, the suction inlet 14 andthe collection inlet 16 are provided adjacent to each other. The filterunit 10 is particularly suitable when using the suction source 24 suchas a vacuum pump as well as the filter unit 10 shown in FIG. 13. Thisfilter unit 10 has a characteristic that the filter unit 10 is operable,for example, with a thumb by gripping it in the direction shown in FIG.13 and mounting the switch 38 on its upper part. Since the filter 12 ispositioned above the collection chamber 18, the shielding member 26 isomitted because there are few possibilities of the body fluidsoverflowing from the suction pipe 22 making contact with the filter 12.

As has been described so far, it becomes possible to prevent the filterunit 10 being clogged by allowing the body fluids splashed out from thesuction pipe 22 to directly come in contact with the filter 12, if thepipe 22 passes through the filter 12. The filter unit 10, whose usage islimited so that the filter 12 may be located above the collectionchamber 18, has, however, a low risk of the fluids splashing upward byworking against gravity. It is, therefore, not always necessary for thepipe 22 to pass through the filter 12.

Further, as has been described so far, the shielding member 26 shieldsthe flow of the body fluids flowing along the male housing 13, whichleads to prevent the filter 12 from being clogged, even if the filterunit 10 is used in a tilted position in any directions. Since the filterunit 10, whose usage is limited so that the filter 12 may be locatedabove the collection chamber 18, has a low risk of the body fluidsdrawing into the filter 12 because the body fluids are stored at thebottom section 40 of the male housing 15, it is not always necessary toprovide the shielding member 26.

Although the filter unit 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 15 is substantiallycylindrical shaped, the filter unit 10 of the present invention may bein a variety of shapes, such as cone and prism. The filter unit 10 mayhave such a convenient configuration that the filter unit 10 is foldedup when it is not in use and is assembled when used.

The shape and the configuration of the filter 12 are not limited to theexamples shown in FIGS. 1 to 15. For example, the filter 12 shown inFIG. 16 comprises two layers; a relatively rough and bulky filtermaterial 42 and a relatively fine filter material 44. The filtermaterial 42 is used to mainly collect body. fluids with high viscosityand the filter material 44 is used to collect the remaining body fluidswith low viscosity. The filter 12 shown in FIG. 16 may be used having aconfiguration of three layers, or the like in accordance with itspurpose. The filter 12 shown in FIG. 17 is of a shape having thecircular base with sidewalls jutting to prevent the filter 12 from beingclogged due to the expansion of the surface area for ventilation.Various thoughts such as expanding the surface area by attaching plaitscan be adopted.

The shape and the shielding method of the shielding member 26 are notlimited to the above-mentioned examples. For example, the shieldingmember 26 shown in FIG. 15 is aligned by being located on a step 46disposed on the female housing 13 to shield the filter 12 atpredetermined intervals without the leg 32. Accordingly, the surface ofthe filter 12 is perfectly opened without anything to come in contactwith, so that the filter function is retained.

Alternatively, the shielding member 26 shown in FIG. 18 is a cylindricalshape by forming grooves whose cross section is U-shaped and has acharacteristic of easy assembling work of the filter unit 10 due tosmooth sliding movement conforming to the inner walls of the femalehousing 13.

Alternatively, the shielding member 26 formed in the broadened shapeshown in FIG. 19 comes in contact with only the filter 12 and itsperimeter, therefore, the effective area of the filter 12 is hardlychanged.

A contrivance to prevent body fluids sucked up to the collection chamber18 from clogging the filter 12 has been carried out by allowing thesuction pipe 22 to pass through the filter 12 and disposing theshielding member 26. To prevent further clogging of the filter 12,members for suctioning liquid may be provided within the collectionchamber 18. In the filter unit 10 shown in FIG. 20, members 48 forsuctioning liquid are disposed along the inner walls of the femalehousing 13. This prevents body fluids from moving to the filter 12 byabsorbing water to increase viscosity and reducing body fluidity. Highpolymer absorbent materials and felt are used as the members 48 forsuctioning liquid.

The material of the filter 12 is not particularly limited, but an airfilter made of paper, a cloth, and an unwoven cloth, and the like whichare ordinarily used for a ventilating opening, a dust collector, and avacuum cleaner is preferably used. Above all, the air filter made of anunwoven cloth is the most favorably used because of little possibilityof clogging due to being bulky, excellent workability in working to theoptimum shape for its excellent formability and its relativelyinexpensive price. If an unwoven cloth composed of organic fibers, suchas polyester fiber, polypropylene fiber, and polyacrylic fiber is usedfor the air filter, the filter can be incinerated without contaminationof the environment after use. The filter 12 may have functions, such asdisinfection, sterilization, deodorant, and deodorization. The filter 12whose color and shape may be changed according to the contents of bodyfluids. It is, however, difficult for the filter 12 to perfectly collectall kinds of bacteria and virus, so that the user is recommended to seekfull guidance from a medical specialist when using the filter unit 10 bysuctioning body fluids by the user's mouth.

A plastic such as polypropylene, ABS resin, and polycarbonate ispreferably used as the material of the female housing 13, the malehousing 15, and the shielding member 26. This material is lightweight,excellent in formability, and low in costs. In addition, this materialenables easy observation of body fluids within the filter unit 10because of its excellent transparency, as well as reusing combustionheat because the female housing 13 and the male housing 15 can beincinerated together with the filter 12. The material having functions,such as disinfection, sterilization, deodorant, and deodorization may beused or the material may be added.

The body fluid suction device according to the present inventionincludes the above-mentioned filter unit 10, wherein the suction tube 20is connected at least to the suction inlet 14. A body fluid suctiondevice 34 illustrated in FIG. 21 is so configured that the suction tube20 is connected to the suction inlet 14 of the filter unit 10 shown inFIG. 12 and a nozzle 36 is connected to the end of the suction tube 20.The tube 20 is made of silicone rubber and soft polyolefin-type resin,which easily bends because of its superior flexibility.

The body fluid suction device 34 in this embodiment is used as follows:The user holds the filter unit 10 by gripping it in his or her hand andcatches hold of near the end of the suction tube 20 by another hand, andallows the nozzle 36 to contact the body fluid surgical site such as athroat. Body fluids such as phlegm are aspirated and removed by holdingthe collection inlet 16 in his or her mouth to aspirate the fluids.Alternatively, the suction device 34 may be used as follows: the userholds the filter unit 10 by holding the collection inlet 16 in his orher mouth and operates the suction tube 20 intensively by both hands.The suction device 34 may be used by communicating the collection inlet16 with the suction source 24 such as a vacuum pump through a collectiontube and the like. When the suction source 24 such as a vacuum pump isused, some degree of vacuum adjusting means is preferably disposedbetween the collection inlet 16 and the suction source 24.

The body fluid suction device 34 of the present invention is easilyportable due to the use of the small sized and lightweight filter unit10. Particularly, in the system of suctioning body, fluids by the user'smouth, it is very convenient to use the suction device 34 for ordinaryhome use and medium or small sized medical facilities because of no needof the suction source 24 such as a vacuum pump. If the collection inlet16 is of a shape for holding in the user's mouth, the suction device 34is particularly useful because the user holds the filter unit 10 in hisor her mouth and operates the suction tube 20 and helps the patient byhis or her free hands.

The body fluid suction device 34 of the present invention can solvehygienic and mental problems raised in conventional suction devicesbecause there is no risk of body fluids drawing into the user's mouthdue to complete removal of the body fluids such as phlegm using thefilter 12, even if the user suctions the body fluids by his or hermouth. Since the suction device 34 that has been used is disposed of asit were, no troublesome work, such as cleaning and disinfection isrequired. The suction device 34 to be disposed of can be perfectlyincinerated, so that its combustion heat may be reused. If the filterunit 10, the suction tube 20, and the nozzle 36, or the like, are madeof polyolefin-type resin, little toxic gas is caused by incineration.

The nozzle 36 serves to prevent the end of the suction tube 20 frombeing adhered to the inner surface of the user's mouth due to theblocking and adsorption. FIG. 22 shows an example of the nozzle 36.Grooves 50 for drilling an end surface and sides are provided at 6places of the end of the nozzle 36 to be configured so as to introduceair from the sides, even if the end surface is blocked. Moreparticularly, the nozzle 36 has an air inhalation system. Thus, forexample, even when the nozzle 36 is blocked by coming in touch with theinner surface of the user's mouth during suctioning of phlegm, air isintroduced from the sides through the grooves, which results in noreduction in flow rate of carried air within the suction tube 20 withoutthe anchoring of the end in the inner surface of his or her mouth andcomfortable suctioning. The nozzle 36 suitable for the shape of nostrilsis preferably used when suctioning nasal mucus, or the like. The nozzle36 is, however, not always necessary in a usage wherein the end of thesuction tube 20 is seldom blocked.

The body fluid filter unit 10 shown in FIG. 12 is preferably usedsideways in the configuration as shown in FIG. 23. And the body fluidfilter unit 10 shown in FIG. 20 is preferably used sideways as shown inFIG. 24. The body fluid filter unit 10 shown in FIG. 21 is preferablyused sideways in the configuration was shown in FIG. 25. The body fluidfilter unit 10 respectively shown in FIGS. 13, 14, and 15 may be usedsideways.

As described above, the disposable body fluid filter unit and the bodyfluid suction device according to the present invention have beendescribed in detail so far, but the present invention is not limited tothe above-mentioned embodiments. Also, any modification, variations orequivalent arrangement on the shape, material, and configuration of thefilter unit and the filter, and the configuration of the body fluidsuction device and the like, which may occur to those skilled in theart, should be considered to be within the scope of the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The disposable body fluid filter unit according to the present inventiondoes not allow foul air to flow into a suction source such as a mouthbecause a filter and a shielding member collect body fluids such asphlegm removed by suctioning. In addition, there are no changes in itsfilter functions even when the filter unit is tilted or overturns, sothat the filter unit can be easily used.

Further, the body fluid filter unit according to the present inventionis free from troublesome work, such as cleaning and disinfection due tobeing a disposable type.

Furthermore, such body fluid filter unit can prevent overflowing bodyfluids from a suction pipe from being clogged by directly splashing onthe filter by providing a suction pipe for guiding air from a suctioninlet to a collection chamber which passes through the filter.

Additionally, the body fluid filter unit has particularly superioroperability because a user can use a suction tube connected to thesuction inlet positioned on the lower part while holding a collectioninlet in his or her mouth and peeping into the patient's throat fromabove, if the filter can be positioned between the suction inlet and thecollection inlet. Also, operation time is reduced by the suction tubeshortened by an approach of the suction inlet to the operation site suchas the throat and quick suction of phlegm, or the like up to the filterunit. This also reduces some of the load off the patient whose phlegm iscaught in person's throat and nose, as well as the user's load.

Moreover, with the use of the body fluid filter unit according to thepresent invention, the flowing of body fluids into the inner walls of acase is blocked, if a shielding member having a body fluid shieldingportion in the shape being in conformance with the shape of the innerwalls of the collection chamber disposed around the shielding member anda ventilation section formed near the central portion, is providedbetween the collection chamber and the filter. This reduces clogging inthe filter.

The body fluid filter unit according to the present invention comprisesa suction inlet connected to a suction tube for suctioning body fluids;a collection chamber for storing body fluids suctioned from the suctioninlet; a filter for allowing air or body fluids within the collectionchamber to pass through; a collection inlet communicating with a suctionsource, wherein the suction inlet is positioned at one end of thecollection chamber and the collection inlet is positioned at the otherend that is opposite to the one end, and the filter is positionedbetween the collection chamber and the collection inlet. Unlike a bodyfluid filter unit for giving suction generated from a collection pipe toa filter through a specified chamber, the body fluid filter unit of thepresent invention allows air to effectively pass through the filter byresisting fluid friction because its suction generated from thecollection pipe is directly given to the filter. This enablesintroduction of air with less suction, which leads to a reduction inelectricity cost of a suction source, compared with the filter unit forgiving suction generated from a collection pipe to a filter through thespecified chamber. In addition, the suction source can be configured ina compact size.

There is no possibility of body fluids drawing into the collection pipe,as far as the amount of the body fluids is not too large, even if thebody fluid filter unit according to the present invention is used in anypostures, wherein the collection pipe for guiding air from thecollection chamber to the collection inlet through the filter isprovided and juts into the collection chamber. Particularly, with theuse of the body fluid filter unit of the present invention having thecollection pipe jutting out of the filter into the central portion ofthe collection chamber, wherein the end of the jutting portion ispositioned near the central portion of the collection chamber, there isno risk of the body fluids drawing into the collection pipe, unless thecapacity of the fluids stored in the collection chamber reaches half ofthat of the collection chamber or more. This-prevents the fault of thesuction source caused by the body fluids drawn into the suction source.Additionally, it becomes possible to suction body fluids by the user'smouth from the collection tube connected to the collection inlet.

The body fluid filter unit according to the present invention having asuction pipe for guiding body fluids from the suction inlet to thecollection chamber can prevent the body fluids from returning by surelyguiding the fluids fed to the filter unit to the collection chamber.This enables effective suctioning of body fluids. As far as the amountof body fluids stored in the collection chamber is not too large, thefilter unit with a suction pipe jutting into the collection chamberaccording to the present invention can particularly prevent the bodyfluids from returning to the suction pipe more surely because the bodyfluids do not contact the end of the jutting portion of the suctionpipe, even if the filter unit is used in any postures. Particularly, inthe filter unit having a non-return valve on the end of the juttingportion of the suction pipe according to the present invention, there isno possibility of the body fluids returning to the suction pipe, eventhough the body fluids contact the end of the jutting portion of thesuction pipe.

The body fluid filter unit of the present invention whose collectionchamber is small enough to conceal in a palm of a human hand does notgive the patient and the caregiver any unpleasant feelings due toinvisible body fluids in the collection chamber from the outside.

The present invention can provide a disposable body fluid suction devicethat is easily portable due to its small sized and lightweight filterunit. Particularly, if the suction device has a system of suctioningbody fluids by the user's mouth, the suction device is very convenientlyused as a first-aid treatment in ordinary home and caregivers withoutany suction source such as a vacuum pump because there is no need of asuction source such as a vacuum pump. Additionally, if the suction inletis of a shape for holding in the user's mouth, it becomes particularlyuseful because the user holds the filter unit in his or her mouth, sothat he or she can operate the suction tube or can help the patient byhis or her both free hands.

The body fluid suction device of the present invention can solvehygienic and mental problems raised in conventional suction devicesbecause there is no risk of body fluids drawing into the user's mouthdue to complete removal of the body fluids such as phlegm by the filterunit, even if the user suctions the fluids by his or her mouth. Sincethe suction device that has been used is disposed of as it were, notroublesome work, such as cleaning and disinfection is required. Thesuction device to be disposed of can be perfectly incinerated. Unlessvinyl chloride resin is used as the material of the filter unit, littletoxic substance such as dioxin is caused by incineration, so that itscombustion heat may be reused.

Further, connecting a nozzle including an air inhalation system to theend of the suction tube prevents the end from being adhered to the innersurface of the user's mouth and the like due to adsorption, so that itsoperability is improved.

The body fluid suction device of the present invention is mainly used toremove body fluids such as phlegm and nasal mucus by exercising theabove-mentioned various effects. The suction device may be used as acollection chamber to store by the time of testing body fluids to besuctioned which does not need to be displaced. and in cleaning anexternal ear related disease, or the like.

The present invention can provide a suction source wherein an outer boxcan be suspended by engaging a curved hook extending to an end with abar-like member. Fixing the suction source to the fence of the bed canperform suctioning operation. Accordingly, space of the patient room canbe effectively utilized.

The suction source of the present invention has an outer box having acurved mounting section extending to an end where the substantiallycylinder-shape body fluid filter unit is accommodated on its side.Fixing the filter unit to the suction source can perform suctioningoperation. Accordingly, space of the patient room can be effectivelyutilized.

Furthermore, the suction source of the present invention including atank for dividing suctioned fluids into body fluids and air can feedonly air to a pump within the suction source, which results in no faultin the pump, even though the body fluids draw into the suction source.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disposable body fluid filter unit for removingbody fluids such as phlegm and nasal mucus caught in person's throat andnose, the improvement wherein said filter unit is so configured that airflows through a suction inlet connected to one end of a suction tube forsuctioning the body fluids, a collection chamber, a filter, and acollection inlet communicating with a suction source, in the ordernamed, to suction the body fluids, and wherein a suction pipe forguiding air from the suction inlet to the collection chamber passesthrough the filter.
 2. The filter unit according to claim 1, wherein thefilter is positioned between the suction inlet and the collection inlet.3. The filter unit according to claim 1, wherein a shielding memberhaving a body fluid shielding portion in the shape being in conformancewith the shape of inner walls of the collection chamber disposed aroundthe shielding member and a ventilation section formed near the centralportion of the shielding member is provided between the collectionchamber and the filter.
 4. The filter unit according to claim 1, furthercomprising a collection pipe for guiding air from said collectionchamber to the collection inlet through the filter which juts into thecollection chamber.
 5. The filter unit according to claim 4, whereinsaid collection pipe juts out of the filter into the central portion ofthe collection chamber and an end of a jutting portion of the collectionpipe is positioned near the central portion of the collection chamber.6. The filter unit according to claim 1, further comprising a suctionpipe for guiding body fluids from said suction inlet to said collectionchamber.
 7. The filter unit according to claim 6, wherein said suctionpipe juts into the collection chamber.
 8. The filter unit according toclaim 7, wherein a jutting portion of said suction pipe has a non-returnvalve on its end.
 9. The filter according to claim 1, wherein saidcollection chamber is sufficiently small to be held and enclosed in anadult person's hand.
 10. The suction device according to claim 1,wherein a nozzle having an air inhalation system is connected to anopposite end of said suction tube.
 11. The suction device according toclaim 1, wherein said collection inlet is of a shape that allows a userto hold the inlet in his or her mouth.
 12. A disposable body fluidfilter unit for removing body fluids such as phlegm and nasal mucuscaught in person's throat and nose, the improvement wherein said filterunit is so configured that air flows through a suction inlet connectedto a suction tube for suctioning the body fluids, a collection chamber,a filter, and a collection inlet communicating with a suction source, inthe order named, to suction the body fluids, and wherein a shieldingmember, having a body fluid shielding portion in the shape being inconformance with the shape of inner walls of the collection chamberdisposed around the shielding member and a ventilation section formednear the central portion of the shielding member, is provided betweenthe collection chamber and the filter.
 13. A disposable body fluidsuction device comprising: (a) a disposable body fluid filter unit forremoving body fluids such as phlegm and nasal mucus caught in person'sthroat and nose, wherein said filter unit is so configured that airflows through a suction inlet connected to an end of a suction tube forsuctioning the body fluids, a collection chamber, a filter, and acollection inlet communicating with a suction source, in the ordernamed, to suction the body fluids; and (b) a nozzle having an airinhalation system connected to the end of said suction tube, said airinhalation system including means for preventing the end of the suctiontube from being closed to air when the body fluid suction device isused.
 14. The suction device according to claim 13, wherein saidcollection inlet is of a shape that allows a user to hold the inlet inhis or her mouth.